Corn-harvesting machine.



D. T. PHILLIPS.

CORN HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1912.

Patented NOV. 3, 1914.

5 SKBET8-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS ca, PHOTO-LITHO., WASHIN TON. r), C.

1). T. PHILLIPS. CORN HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1912.

1,1 15,565. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

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' D. T. PHILLIPS.

CORN HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 15, 1912.

Patented N0v.;3, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. FHOTO-L|THO.. WASHINGTON. D c.

D. T. PHILLIPS. CORN HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1912.

Patented N0v.'3, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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D. T. PHILLIPS.

001m HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED, JULY 15, 1912.

Pateflted Nov. 3, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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UTED STATES DARIUS T. PHILLIPS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CORN-HARVESTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

Application filed July 15, 1912. 7 Serial No. 709,615.

T all whom it may concern Be itknown that I, DARIUS 'I. PHILLIPS, acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Corn-Harvesting Machines, of which the following is a specification.1

The invention relates to improvements in machines for harvesting cornfrom the standing stalks and is of the general type of machine adaptedto harvest or gather the ears of corn from one or more rows of thecommon field Indian corn or maize.

The object of the invention is to generally improve the details ofconstruction of corn harvesting machines and to produce a machine thatis simple in construction and eflioient in operation to gatherparticularly the unhusked cars into the machine, where the husks may ormay not subsequently be removed prior to delivering them to a wagon orother conveyance or receptacle, or the husking feature of the machinemay be omit;

ted, as in the present embodiment of the invention shown in the drawingsand described in the specification;

A further object of the invention is to produce a corn harvestingmachine with improved gathering devices operative with out theemployment of the usual power draft gathering or snapping rolls.

A further object of the invention is to produce improved ear picking orgathering devices in a machine of the class described.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of improvedmeans for varying the width of the gathering units, 01 which it ispreferred that a plurality be used, there being three of these units soadapted together simultaneously three rows of corn in the embodiment ofthe invention shown, although it will be obvious that the machine may beconstructed to gather any convenient number of rows more than one.

In the embodiment of the invention shown the harvesting machine isattached and drawn by a wagon or other farm vehicle which serves as areceptacle for the gathered corn, and it is one of the objects of thisinvention to provide an improved machine of the class described of acharacter that may be thus operated without the use of addi- Otherobjects of the invention will ap- I pear from the following cescriptionof the invention relating to the preferred embodiment thereof, as shownin the drawings, which form a part of the specification.

In the said drawings: Figure l is a top plan view of the preferred formof my harvester, shown attached to the rear end of a farm wagon, thecorn delivering carrier shown extending over the top of the wagon box, apart of both wagon box and carrier being broken away in this view. Fig.2 is a rear elevation of the harvester. Fig. 3 is a side elevation oftheharvester, showing the manner of its attachment to the wagon, part ofthe carrier of the harvester being broken away. In this view a part ofthe wagon is also broken away, the wagon being shown in section. Fig. lis a side elevation of one of the elevators of which there are two in"a 1. three machine are broken away to disclose the details ofconstruction of the elevators and of the adjacent stalk rolls and eargathering devices. Broken parts of the mechanism for row machine of theembodiment shown. In the view adjacent parts of the.

ed position above the top of the wagon box,

broken-Qpartsof the wagon box being shown and also the slidingconnection for upwardly supporting the forward end of the carrier on thelongitudinal sides of the wagon box. Fig. 8 is a detail showing theconstruction of one of the ratchets on the main driving shaft which isournaled near the top of the harvester main frame.

In constructing my improved corn harvester the various operating partsmay be supported by a main frame admitting of the usual variations instructure, but I prefer to employ substantially the form of supportingframe herein shown and described, consisting of certain telescopingparts supported upon suitable carrying wheels adapted to sustain the eargathering devices and the mechanism for receiving, elevating anddelivering the harvested corn to the wagon or the receiving receptacle.The tubular supporting member 10 furnishes on the interior thereof asliding support for the two shafts 11, 12, which extend laterally andwhich carry near their outer extremities frames 13, 14, which serve tosupport the ear gathering mechanism for the two outside rows of corn.The gathering frames 13, 1d are preferably rigidly secured to the shafts11, 12, but the shafts 11, 12 themselves are slidingly mounted, so thatthey telescope on the interior of the frame member 10 and areadjust-ably secured therein by suitable means, as the set screws 15, 16.In this embodiment of the invention tubular frame member 10 is showncircular in cross section and the shafts 11, 12 likewise are shown roundor circular in cross section, this, of course, necessitates the use ofset screws 15, 16, to prevent sliding or relative turning movement. Byloosening said screws 15, 16 it will be apparent that the harvesting orear gathering units carried by frames 13, 14: may be adjustedlongitudinally on the frame member 10 to increase or decrease thedistance between them, or, in other words, to adapt the machine togather corn in which the rows may be planted varying distances apart.The tubular frame member 10, which carries the important parts of themachine is supported by an axle member of irregular formation, which isgenerally designated by the reference character 17. This member ispreferably made of a solid piece of steel shafting of uniform diameterof about one and a quarter inch stock, and is given an inverted U shapeto extend over the middle row of corn being harvested. The upperextremity of the U shaped member 17 is adapted to engage the tubularframe member 10, to which it is secured in a suitable manner for supporting same, asby clamps 18, 19 and ordinary bolts, as illustrated. Themember 17, having the twodownwardly extending branches which are curvedoutwardly, parallel with the ground and parallel with the main framemember 10, provides axles for the carrying and driving wheels 20, 21,which not only carry the principal weight of the machine, but also arepreferably utilized for furnishing power for driving the operative partsof the machine. The tubular frame member 10 has secured to it twouprights 22, 23, which serve to support a horizontal shaft 24, extendingapproximately parallel with the tubular frame member 10, and somedistance above it.

On the hubs of the carrying and driving wheels 20, 21 driving sprockets,as indicated at 25, Fig. 3, are provided. Suitable chains or endlessbelts pass over these sprockets and engage sprockets at 26, 27 on theextremities of shaft 24: at the top of the machine. In order to, providefor discrepancies in the degree of the movement of the two drivingwheels 20, 21 I prefer to connect the driving sprockets 26, 27 withshaft QfhbV suitable ratchets, which are operative to turn the shaft inone direction and inoperative when the movements ofthe sprockets 26, 27take place in the opposite direction. Any form of ratchet mechanism maybe employed, and" one form is shown in detail in Fig. 8, in which 27 isthe casing of the ratchet, 27 b a ratchet wheel secured to shaft 24. and27 spring pressed .pawls pivotally secured to the casing 27 and engagingthe teeth on ratchets 27 The various operative parts of the machine aredriven from shaft 24.

By referring particularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that a bottomsupporting frame is provided, the same being designated generally by thereference character 28. This frame is substantially of a U shape, withthe branches extending rearwardly and connected to the axle portions ofthe U shaped axle member 17 This connection may be made in any desiredmanner, that preferred being, as illustrated, by enlarging the rearmostextremities of the frame members, as

indicated at 29, 30, or attaching suitable manent relation thereto bysuitable collars,

as indicated at 31, 32, or other suitable means. The frame member 28,extends beneath the entire machine and some distance forwardly, in orderto provide suitable means for attaching the machine to the wagon orother vehicle, to which the machine" is adapted to be attached, and towhich it is preferable to be operated.

By referring to Fig. 3, the general form of the frame 28 will be seen,from which it will be observed that it is deflected upwardly somewhatfor a portion of its length forward of the axles, and thence extendsupwardly in front of the elevators and harvester to a point adjacent therear axle of the wagon, or the wagon reach, to which it is secured byany suitable means that will permit it to have a certain amount ofvertical movement in relation to the wagon, but

at the same time'cause it to be drawn'by' the wagon. The manner in whichI prefer to accomplish this 1s illustrated in Fig. 3'

these members 33 are preferably employed and these are preferably sosecured to the axle or reach of the Wagon as to cooperate with theforward end of the frame 28 tof prevent lateral movement of the same,but at the same time to permit the frame of the machine to have acertain amount of vertical movement or play in relation to the axle orreach of the wagon. To fix the opposite extent of downward movement inorder to prevent the points of the harvester fromengaging in the groundthe bottom of the U shaped member 33 is made adjustable by the insertionof suitable bolts, as indicated at 35, there being a plurality of holesin the U shaped member into which the bolts 35 may be inserted to meetvarious requirements and conditions. The frame 28 may be strengthened byvarious braces, as indicated, for example at 98, of which there may beone or more so placed as simply to strengthen the frame, or to assist insupporting various parts of'the machine in relation to this frame.

In the embodiment of the invention it is shown attached to a wagon, therear axle of which is designated for convenience by the referencecharacter 37, the wagon box by 38, and the rear wheels by the referencecharacter 39. V

The reference characters 4:0, 41 designate the sprocket chains passingover sprocket wheels on the driving or supporting wheels and the ratchetsprockets 26, 27 on the main driving shaft 24. In order to further bracethe frame structure of the machine and to afford convenient means forsupporting the elevators and ear carrying mechanism a large plate ofirregular formation is secured to the main frame member 10 and extendsdownwardly in engagement with the draft frame 28. This plate isindicated by the reference character 4-3 and is of a width not quiteequal to the space between the first and third rows over which themachine is designed to pass in operation. This makes it necessary to cutthe plate with a slot extending approximately vertically at only oneplace near the center of it, in order to clear the middle row, since thefirst and third rows will pass the extremities of the plate whatever maybe the adjustment of the first and third row gathering devices. Forwardof the plate is another plate 4% parallel to the.first said plate andlikewise provided with a vertical slot near the middle thereof, topermit the passage of the middle or second row of corn therethrough asthe machine is passed over the field in the harvesting operation. T hetwo iarallel plates 43, 4A, both of which are supported at the bottom bythe frame 28, furnish a convenient means of supporting the corn carriersor elevators. These plates 43, M may also be utilized in supporting toan extent the center or second harvesting device, which is insertedwithin the approximately vertical slots in these plates heretoforereferred to and extends rearwardlv being secured to the frame 10 at therear, but not adjustably secured thereto since obviously it will not benecessary to adjust the middle harvesting unit or device.

Having now described the general outline of the main frame of themachine, the driving mechanism and the elevator supporting frame, adescription of the corn picking harvesting device will now be given.-The present embodiment of the invention being a three-row machine,three of these ear picking devices or harvesting units will be required,the first and third of which will be adjustable in the manner alreadyde, scribed. The general construction ofthe first and third oftheharvesting units is the same, except that one of them is right and theother left. The middle unit because of its non-adjustability variessomewhat from the others in the details of construction of itssupporting frame, although its mode of operation is the same. i

In order to preventduplication, the details of construction of theharvesting unit for the extreme right-hand row, or row #1 of themachine, as illustrated in the drawings, will now be given and it willnecessitate that this description applies to the other harvesting unitsfor rows two and three unless otherwise stated. The frame for supportingharvesting unit #1 has already been designated with reference characterM, the same being secured to the shaft 12 and from the main portionthereof the two branches, or bifurcations M 1% extend downwardlyapproximately parallel to pass on each side of the corn row and serve asa support for the rearward extremities of the row harvesting devices.The branches 1 f 14- support frames which extend forwardly approximatelyparallel with each other on opposite sides of the row and are providedwith pointed extremities as indicated at l-l,

H1. The corresponding branches of the harvester unit on the oppositeside of the machine are designated by the reference characters 13 and 13This frame is preferably constructed by extending a mem ber forwardlyand downwardly near the upper end of the parts 13, is as indicated at 1314 and extending other braces from' near the bottom of the bifurcatedframe members 13 l l forwardlyto unite with the part 13, and a similarpart not shown on the harvester unit on the opposite side of thin sheetmetal indicated by the reference" character 13 Fig. 3.

An important feature of the invention is the use of rollers indicated bythe reference character 50. These rollers are rotatably journaled ontheupper slanting surface of the gathering arms and extend from near theforward pointed projections of these gathering arms rearwardly andupwardly to a point immediately over the elevating carriers. .Theserollers, as well as the entire ear harvesting mechanism, are given adecided slant with the slotted part of the gathering arm on the upperside. The harvesting units are not all slanted alike, it will beobserved from an inspection of the drawings. It is preferred, however,that two of these shall be slanted in the same direction and the thirdgiven an equal slant in the opposite direction, as illustrated in thedrawings, which makes a more convenient arrangement, in order to securecompactness in the positioning of the machine and to enable a neat andeffective arrangement of the ear elevating mechanism either fordelivering the harvested ears to suitable husk ing mechanism or forcollecting the ears and delivering them to the receptacle on theexterior of the machine.

The construction of the outer gathering arms 13, 14L having beendescribed, it is perhaps only necessary to add that these may be givenadditional means of support by extending a suitable brace 52 fromtheouter extremity of an extension on the shaft supporting the harvestingunits, which in turn is supported by the main frame member 10 beinggiven a certain amount of rigidity but movable with the harvestingunits.

The gathering members supported by the branch 1 1 of the frame 14 whichcarries the idle stationary roll cotiperating with the roll 50, alreadydescribed, is supported by frame work somewhat similar to that alreadydescribed for supporting roll 50. This latter roll is indicated by thereference character 53. This gathering member terminates, as beforestated, in the point 1 1 shaped like the point 1 1 already referred to,for picking up the fallen corn and the idler roller 53 extends parallelwith the roller 50 but lies in a different plane, on account of thegeneral tilting of the entire gathering or picking mechanism. The idlerroller 50 on the gathering arm already described is shown pivotallysupported on the arm 13 by means of a suitable bearing member which isindicated by the reference character 55 and into which a gudgeon on theroller is journaled.

ber 13 on the opposite divider.

The forward end of the roller 50 is preferably tapered somewhat near itsforward extremity as indicated at 50 and this forward extremity isprovided with a gudgeon journaled in a suitable bearing formed in thepointed member 1 1.

The general frame construction of the pivotal support of idler roller 53on the opposite side of the harvesting device does not materially differfrom the frame work already described, except that the triangular spacebetween the members constituting the frame is not closed with sheetmetal, but is provided with open spaces in order to gather the ears andallow them to fall through on to the conveying or elevating mechanism.

An important feature of the invention resides in the means employed inpicking or removing the ears from the stalks, and the construction ofthis particular means will now be described. 56 (see Figs. .1 and 5) isa bracket pivotally supporting the rearward extremity of the roll 53,while 57 is a portion of the frame corresponding to the frame member 13on the opposite gathering arm. 58 is the bottom frame member secured atthe rear to the branch 13 of the main frame, and corresponding to themem- This c0nstruction without the sheet metal leaves a quadrangularopening which is bridged by a plurality of strips indicated by thereference characters 59, 60. These strips are spaced evenly from theportions of the frame 57, 58, and extend parallel therewith, so that thespaces between these various parallel members are about equal, to permitthe ears to pass between and on to the elevating devices. The strips 59,60 as well as the portions of the frame 57 58 carry suitable knivesadapted to remove or sever the ears from the stalks. These knives, ofwhich there are preferably four, that is, one on each of the parallelbars referred to, are secured to these bars so as to extend somewhatabove the upper edges thereof and to present slanting cutting surfacesto the ears to sever them from the stalks as the machine progressesalong the row. These knives are designated in Fig. 4: by the referencecharacters 61 to 64 inclusive. Knives 63, 6& be ing the upper knives areshown with simply inclined edges extending from the upper edge of thebars to which they are secured rearwardly and upwardly at anapproximately uniform slant. I prefer, however, to construct the lowerknives 61, 62 somewhat differently, by providing them with forwardportions which are indicated by the reference characters 61% 6%, whichforward portions present an abruptly slanting cutting portion to theears and then a considerable depression in the effective cutting edge oft l 1 e knife to allow'the knife to gradually operate upon any uncutears to sever them as the machine progresses farther along.

The cutting portions 61*, 62 are provided for the purpose of doing themajor portion of the work of severing the ears, since most of the carswill be presented to these two lower knives and will be severed promptlyupon presentation thereto. Since these cutting knives are upon theundermost side of the inclined gathering arms it will be obvious thatthe weight of the ears as the stalks are presented to the machine willtend bygravity to fall through the-slots between the bars carrying theknives 61 to 64: inclusive, but in order to compel the ears to bepressed through between these knife carrying bars and come in contactwith the knives, to be severed, the outside divider, as described, ismade of solid sheet metal and the space bet-ween the dividers is madebarely wider than the thickness of the stalks themselves, which tends toforce the ears between the said bars adjacent the cutting knives by thepressure of the sheet metal divider.

The foregoing description is believed to be sufiicient as applied to thefirst and third ear picking or harvesting units, and the middle unitdoes not differ in its essential construction in any importantprinciples, with the single exception that it is nonadjustable inrelation to the main frame. The parts of the middle unit whichcorrespond in their essential features of construction to the first andthird units are shown in section in Fig. 5 and designated by referencecharacters 57 to 64? inclusive.

An important feature of the invention is the provision made for takingcare of the ears after being severed and insuring that they shall bepromptly and effectively presented to the elevating devices to beconveyed to the wagon or other carriage;

Reference has already been made to the rear stationary strengtheningplate 4L3and to the forward plate 44. These plates are connected bysuitable bottom plates of sheet metal 67, 68, which extend adjacent thepicking mechanism just described, and the knives 61 to 64 thereon, sothat when the harvesting units are adjusted for extremely narrow rowsand the outer units are close to each other, the ears being thrownbetween the picker bars will fall upon the sheet metal bottoms 67, 68.To provide against any space intervening and the consequent loss of earsbetween the picker bars and the receiving metal bottoms on the mainframe, metal aprons as indicated at 72 Fig. 5, are attached to the framecarrying the picker bars, and these telescope over the edges of thebottoms 67, 68, which receive the picked ears. These aprons are of sufficiently thin metal to be flexible, or better still, are pivotallyconnected to the frame carrying the picker bars, which last permits ofadjustment and still insures that the reof sufficient width to passbeyond the outer extremity of plate 43, so that whateveradjustment ofthe outside picker units may be employed the back plate will form aclosure to prevent the loss of any harvested corn therethrough.

The construction of the elevating 'mechanism of my machine will now bedescribed. From the foregoing description it will be seen that as thepicker bars and the knives thereon sever and free the ears from thestalks of. standing corn the ears will be directed upon the metalbottoms 67, 68 ofthe machine. By referring to Fig. 5, it will be seenthat the arrangement of the harvesting units is such that the mechanismfor picking one of the rows, which mechanism is supported by theadjustable frame 13, will discharge the picked ears from that row uponthe sheet metal bottom 68, because of the .incline of this harvesterunit over the metal bottom 68. In the same view it will be seen thatthe-picker mechanism for harvesting the middle row is likewise inclinedover this same metal bottom. This makes it possible for me to elevatethe harvested corn from two of the rows by a single carriermeohanism.This carrier mechanism is shown in detail in Figs. t and 5, from whichit will be seen that it consists of a suitable flexible endless carrier75, .carried by suitable sprocket wheels 76, 77. These sprocket wheels76, 77 are carried by shafts 78, 79, rotatably supported by the rearwardand forward plates :3, 44 respectively. The endless carrier 75,preferably consists of two or more endless chains or belts with suitableconnecting members indicated by the reference char acter 80, andcarrying suitable teeth or caps ndicated by reference characterSl,adapted to engage the ears and elevate them when the endless carrier is'moved, the ears being discharged from the top of the elevator into asuitable trough 83 at the bottom 'of which another endless carrier,which is generally indicated by the reference charactor 85%, conveys theears along an adjustable conveyor and delivers them into some suitablereceptacle, as, for example, the wagon box, as shownin this embodimentof the invention. It will be seen that the sheet metal bottom adjacentthebottom of the carrier 75 is depressed so that the ears of corn uponbeing discharged therein will tend to fall to the bottom of thedepression by gravity. This will enable the elevating means of thecarrier to engage the ears, regardless of the side to which they falland to deliver them into the carrying trough 83.

Before referring to the means for driving the elevator and carrier adescription of the details of the carrier will be given. The carriertrough 83 is fixed in relation tothe main frame of the machine andextends forwardly some distance over the elevators and is supported byan upright brace 86, which is attached to the main frame of the machineat some convenient point, and at 87 an extension conveyer 88 is hingedto the stationary conveyer section 83, said latter conveyer sectionextending forwardly over the top of wagon box, as illustrated in Figs. 6and 7 in particular. The length of this hinged section is adapted tocover the longitudinal length of the wagon box. Like the conveyersection 88, the hinged conveyer section 88 is trough shaped, it beingsimply a movable continuation of the conveyer 83, and contains animportant feature of the invention, namely, a plurality of openingsindicated by the character 89. Closures are provided for these openings89, as indicated by the reference character 90, there being one of suchclosures for each of the door openings. The closure members 90 areslidably mounted so that they may be operated to close the openings 89,or may be operated to allow the corn as it is conveyed along the trough88 to drop through the openings 89 into the wagon box. In order that theconveyer may be completely under the control of the operator the movabledoors 90 are preferably operated from the forward end ofthe wagon nearthe drivers seat, and this may be accomplished by suitable rods, asindicated at 91, there being one of such rods for each of the doors 90.These rods are slidably mounted in brackets on the conveyer 88 saidbrackets being designated by the reference characters 88, 88 and haveoperating handles, as indicated, extending within convenient reach ofthe drivers seat, and by operating these handles which are indicatedgenerally by the reference character 9:2, the operator may control theposition at which the corn will be discharged from the carrier 88. Theforward extremity of the carrier 88 is provided with a cross bar 93,which has downwardly extending projections 94, forked at their lowerextremities, as indicated at 95, the branches of which extend on theopposite sides of the wagon box. In this manner the weight of theforward end of the carrier 88 may be borne by the sides of the wagon boxand the carrier be free to slide longitudinally of the box, since it isshown that the carrier shall not be rigidly secured to the wagon box,because it would be broken in case the machine should suddenly becomedisconnected from the wagon. In order to have the corn conveyed alongthe stationary section of the conveyer 83 and the movable section 88 anendless conveyer belt is provided. This belt is indicated by thereference character 97, and it is provided with a plurality of spacesvertically, and laterally extending projections 98, which engage theears of corn and cause them to travel with the belt along the trough orconveyer. This endless conveyer belt is driven by a sprocket wheel 100secured to a countershaft 101 on some suitable part of the main frame ofthe machine, as the plate 13. The shaft 101 carries another sprocketwheel 102-, with which a sprocket chain 103 cooperates to drive over themain drivingshaft 24. The bottom of the stationary delivery chute 83supports the conveyer belt 97 and at a point near the joining of thehinged section 88 of the conveyer an idler sprocket 104 also supportsthe conveyer belt. At the forward extremity or discharge end of thehinged conveyer section 88 is another sprocket 104: around which thebelt passes while the lower or idler run of the belt is supported by theidler sprocket 105.

The manner in which movement is imparted to the main driving shaft 24from the driving wheels 20, 21 has been described and likewise theconstruction of the mechanism for imparting movement to the conveyerbelt has just been referred to. Mention has been made of the elevatingbelts 75 adjacent each of the end picker units, and it should be noticedthat these elevator belts '75 are driven by power applied to shafts 7 9carrying driving sprockets 76 supporting these elevator belts at theupper ends of their runs, while the sprockets 77 at their lowestextremities are idlers. The main driving shaft 24 has secured theretobevel gears 110 in mesh with bevel gears 111 on the shafts 7 9, throughwhich the necessary movement of these parts is given.

Having described the principal features of construction of the preferredembodiment of my invention I will now describe its mode of operation.The machine in the preferred form herein described is particularlyadapted to be attached to the rear end of farm wagons as shown. Sincethe forward extremities of the hinged conveyer section 88 is supportedon the sides of the wagon box by the means described, it will be seenthat when the wagon box is detached from the machine there must be somemeans to hold the movable conveyer section from dropping to the ground.This I provide in the braces 113 secured to the uprights 86 extendingforward of the hinge 87 securing the movable section of the conveyer 88to the fixed section 83. The brace 113 is normally not effective tosupport the movable section of the conveyor when the same is in positionon the wagon box, but when the wagon box is withdrawn the movablesection of the conveyer will drop sufiiciently low to engage the forwardextremity of these braces which will prevent the movable section fromfalling to the ground. H

The machine is operated by attaching it to the rear axle, or hound orreach of a wagon, and at the same time supporting the movable section ofthe conveyor above the box or bed of the wagon in the mannerillustrated. The wagon is then driven through the field in such a mannerthat the rows of corn will pass between the divider points of the threeharvester units. The rolls 50, 53 will cause the stalks of corn to bestraightenedlont as the rolls turneasily with very little friction,there will be no tendency to break the ears from the stalks,particularly since the spaces betweenthe rolls permit of the earspassing easily between them. When the stalks of corn with the earsthereon have passed beyond the rolls on account of the inclined positionof the dividers gravity will cause the ears to swing against the opendivider side which has the parallel bars carrying the stationary earsevering knives 61 to 6 inclusive. As the earsby gravity fall betweenthe spaces. of these bars the knives referred to will operate to detachthem from the stalks, and their entry between these knife plates will beexpedited by reason of the fact that the upper divider side 13 of sheetmetal may tend to crowd the cars into engagement with the severingknives 61 to 64 inclusive, by reason of the limited space between thedivider sides. The cars thus being freed from the stalks the latter willbe permitted to pass through the openings described in the plate 43 asthe machine progresses. The ears, however, will be directed upon thebottom members 67, 68 adjacent the ear elevators and will thence becarried and delivered first to the fixed carrier section 83 and later tothe movable carrier section 88, and hence deposited in the'wagon box 38,through the openings 89 in the con veyer under the control of theoperator or driver.

It will thus be seen that my improved corn harvesting machine is of sucha simple character that it will require no operator except the driver ofthe wagon, and that when the wagon box has been filled the operator maydisconnect the corn harvesting machine therefrom and allow it to rest inthe field while he delivers his load of corn to the crib, or anotheroperator may use the machine while he is unloading.

My improved corn harvester has relatively few parts, is not liable toget out of order,

and particularly because of the improved means used for severing theears of corn from the stalks it may be operatedwith a very smallexpenditure for power. Heretofore many corn harvesters utilizing rollsor rollers for snapping the ears from the stalks have required so muchdraft power as to make them practically prohibitive, par ticularly onaccount of the treacherous and uncertain condition of the corn ground atthe usual time of corn harvesting,which makes it difficult to secure thenecessary traction to operate snapping rolls, which roll the stalks ofcorn between themv and break on the cars, by reason of the closeproximity of the rolls.

My improved corn harvesting machine is also adapted to be used inconnection with husking rolls of ordinary shape, which may be builtintothe machine and operated by the draft power of the machine, or byseparate motor power, as a gas or gasoline e11 gine mounted on the mainframe. In this case, of course, the corn husking and cleaning mechanismwould be mounted between the endless elevating mechanism 75, and thedelivery end of the movable conveyer 88, in order that nothing butcompletely husked and clean corn might reach the wagon box.

In order that the invention may be fully understood the details of thepreferred embodiment thereof have been thus specifically described, butit is not desired to be limited to the exact details, because it will beapparent that persons skilled in this art may make many modificationswithout departing from the purpose and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with divider arms beingspaced apart to form a passage for the stalks, and

having approximately parallel upwardly and rearwardly inclined forwardedges, idler mu ers extending along said inclined edges approximatelyparallel to each other and a plurality of approximately parallelstationary ear severing knives located at the rearof said rollers.

2. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with divider armshaving approximately upwardly and rearwardly inclined forward edges,idler rollers extending along said inclined edges approximately parallelto each other being spaced apart to form a passage for the stalks, saididler rollers being separated a sufficient distance so that they do notact as husking rollers, and ear severing devices located at the rear vofsaid idler rollers in the path of the corn passing between said idlerrollers. 3. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with a mainframe comprising a supporting bar extending transversely the entirewidth of the machine, an inverted U-shaped frame provided with axlesfor'the' carrying wheels at the lower extremities thereof, means forattaching the said U-shaped axle member to the said supporting member, aplurality of relatively adj ustable ear gathering mechanisms mounted onthe main frame, means for elevating and delivering the cars from thesaid ear gathering mechanisms, and means for driving the said elevatingand delivering means from the supporting wheels of the machine.

4. Ina corn harvesting machine, the combination with divider arms beingspaced apart to form a passage for the stalks and having approximatelyparallel upwardly and rearwardly inclined forward edges, idler rollersextending along said inclined edges approximately parallel to eachother, and ear severing devices located at the rear of said rollers.

5. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with divider armshaving upwardly and rearwardly inclined forward edges, of a plurality ofstationary ear severingknives spaced apart and arranged in verticalalinement to engage the ears of corn along an extended length of each ofthe stalks and being located at the rear of the divider arms and in thepath of the corn passing therebetween.

6. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with divider armsadapted to pass on either side of a row of corn for guiding the stalksof corn therebetween, and an ear gathering device positioned adjacent tosaid gathering arms and in the path of the corn passing therebetween,said ear gathering device comprising a plurality of bars spaced apartand extending longitudinally of the corn row, there being fixedangularlyextending knives or ear severing devices secured to saidparallel bars and extending into the spaces therebetween.

7. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with divider armsspaced apart and having approximately parallel upwardly and rearwardlyinclined forward edges, idler rollers extending along said inclinededges approximately parallel to each other, a plurality of approximatelyparallel bars spaced apart and extending longitudinally of the directionof movement of the machine'in the path of the row of corn adapted topass be tween said divider arms, and ear severing devices secured tosaid approximately par allel bars and extending into the spacestherebetween.

8. In a corn harvesting machine, the conr bination with divider armshaving approxir ately parallel upwardly and rearwardly inclined forwardedges for guiding a row of corn to the machine, idler rollers extendingalong said inclined edges approximately parallel to each other, aplurality of approximately parallel stationary ear severing' kniveslocated at the rear of said rollers, and means for elevating anddelivering the ears of corn from said ear severing knives to a wagon boxor other suitable receptacle.

9. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with a main supportingframe, of a plurality of ear gathering mechanisms secured to the mainframe, said ear gathering mechanisms comprising divider arms havingapproximately upwardly and rearwardly inclined forward edges, aplurality of spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction inwhich the machine is adapted to be drawn along a corn row, and earsevering knives secured to said parallel bars and extending into thespaces therebetween.

, 10. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with a mainsupporting frame, of a platform on said frame, a plurality of eargathering mechanisms mounted on the main frame adjacent said platform,one of'said ear gathering mechanisms being adjustably mounted inrelation to the other and in rela tion to .said platform, said eargathering mechanisms comprising each separated divider arms andrearwardly extending portions from the divider arms spaced apart toprovide means for the passage of rows of corn ther'ebetween, earsevering knives secured to the said eargathering mechanisms at the'rearof the divider arms, each of said ear'gathering mechanisms and thedivider arms being inclined upwardly toward each other so as to overhangthe platform, and elevating and conveying mechanism for deliy ring thecorn from said platform to the exterior of the machine.

11; In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with divider armsspaced apart to permit thepassage therebetween of a standing row ofcorn, said divider arms being upwardly and rearwardly inclined, earsevering mechanism secured to said divider arms at the rear thereof andin the path of the incoming corn, said ear severing devices comprising aplurality of bars spaced apart and extending longitudinally of thedirection of the travel of the corn between said dividers, and earsevering devices secured to the said bars and extending into the spacestherebetween and adapted to sever ears of corn presented to said knivesby the gravity of the ears, the said space bars and the ear severingknives thereon being located on the under side of the inclined dividersor on the side toward which the said dividers are inclined.

12. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with a main frame, ofa platform supported by the main frame, a plurality of ear gatheringmechanisms supported by the main frame adjacent to the said platform andcooperating therewith to deliver corn thereto, one of said ear gatheringmechanisms being adjustably mounted in relation to the main frame,and'an apron pivotally secured to the said adjustable mechanism andbeing adapted to cooperate with the platform during the adjustment ofthe ear gathering mechanism to insure the delivery of the gathered earsto the platform.

13. In a corn harvesting machine, the combination with a main frame,comprising a U-shaped member provided with axles for carrying wheels atthe extremities of the branches of the frame, a rigid member extendingfrom side to side of the machine and secured to the upper extremity ofthe U-shaped frame, a plurality of ear gathering mechanisms slidablymounted on the rigid member of the main frame, and means for adjustablysecuring the ear gathering mechanisms to the rigid member of the frame.

DARIUS T. PHILLIPS.

Witnesses:

A. L. SPRlNKLn, CHARLES H. SEEM.

Uopies 01' this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

